There has been a maelstrom of rumors swirling around the upcoming Star Wars franchise overhaul with more Hollywood names thrown at the project than we can possibly track. The latest word is that Episode VII will feature Han, Leia and Luke in the lead roles, establishing the saga with familiar faces before spinning off the rest of the series by following their children. If Abrams thinks our unfamiliarity with Anakin Skywalker was the problem with the episodes I-III he missed the point. I’m not sure how excited I am for and older Luke, Leia and Han to lead the charge. That way seems more destined for trade embargo talks than zippy hallway blaster fights. But even though we don’t know yet who will be donning the brown or black robes for the upcoming films, it’s impossible to ignore that caliber of names that have been linked to the project. Which are you most hoping will land it and should they even take it, if offered? Can you possibly say no to Star Wars? Ewan McGregor may have wished he’d tried.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Fassbender
I mean, really, at this point, neither of these actors need more work or more franchises on their CVs. With Star Trek, Lord Of The Rings and X-Men between them, they’re pretty well set up. They could easily pass. But will they? The lure of being part of something so large and important must be strong.

Chiwetel Ejiofor
Ejiofor’s popularity is on a huge uptick this year and we know for a fact that he can lend a much-needed gravitas to any space opera. (See: Serenity…now.) Here’s what Ejiofor recently said about his involvement: “Who knows? We’ll just have to see. I don’t know is really the only answer I can give you. I’m a huge fan of [the ‘Star Wars’] world and JJ, but I don’t know. I can’t tell you.”

Adam Driver
This guy already has one foot out the door of Girls and I don’t know what they’re going to do without him. He was the very best part of the first two episodes of season 3. But he’s in demand. I don’t know if I can quite see him giving up his much talked about “artistic cred” to be in Star Wars but, then again, he’s currently the face of Gap so integrity might not be the #1 item on his list.

Hugo Weaving
Well, ditto Weaving. The last thing he needs is another sci-fi franchise. That being said, he is pretty perfect for the role they’re considering him for. Imperial Commander? He’ll fill out those sharp uniforms quite nicely.

Jack O’Connell
Who? Exactly. O’Connell’s CV is packed with British credits that didn’t make it across the pond. Unless you’re a huge Skins fan, this kid might be a complete mystery to you. That could be a good thing (think: Ford, Harrison) or a bad thing (think: Lloyd, Jake). This would be a huge coup for O’Connell and, for better or worse, it would make him a household name.

Sullivan Stapleton
What we have here is basically Sam Worthington redux. I cannot, for the life of me, nail down what this guy actually looks like. He’s a big pile of bland with washboard abs. Casting him would be a mistaking.

Alex Pettyfer
But casting this monumental edifice of douchery would be even worse. He makes Hayden Christensen look downright appealing by comparison.

Jesse Plemons
Yes! Yes please! Please give Landry all the roles you were going to give Riggins. He’s proved he’s the second best kid to come out of Friday Night Lights. Second only to…

Michael B. Jordan
Jordan already gets to be the next Human Torch. Is being a Jedi as well a little too greedy? Not that I mind. Michael B. Jordan for everything! Michael B. Jordan to play Meryl Streep!

Saoirse Ronan
The only female name to be seriously kicked around and that’s a good thing. She’s perfection. After seeing her hop around and kill all the things in Hanna I cannot wait to see her with a blaster in her hand.

No matter who’s cast, they can all look forward to a ripe and enriching future. If whatever it is James Earl Jones is up to is any indication.

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Comments Are Welcome, Bigots and Trolls Are Not

Ray Butler

I've seen Cumberbatch in Trek and Holmes, solid actor. I know Fassbender from a few things, again solid. Of course I know Weaving, as an Aussie I follow a lot of his work, as an Aussie I'm a natural Hipster for Weaving "I knew him before he was saying Mr Anderson" :p The rest kinda look familiar but dont really know them, except I loved the needy psychopath absent of any hint of rage, Plemons.

Ray Butler

I actually have Hanna, but I haven't watched it yet, so we'll see...

wat

I think Hugh Laurie would be an excellent addition to the movie as well.

wat

Pretty good list. Hope they're all in it. Especially Michael B. Jordan, only because it'd be interesting.

e jerry powell

Okay, Joanna.

Hugo Weaving.

You have just made my whole week,

I could give a shit about the movies, I'm just man-ovulating at that picture.

I'm going to be Joanna Robinson's gestational surrogate.

stryker1121

I ...sort of trust Abrams, although less so after the very fan service-y Star Trek entry this summer. I'm still hoping Luke and Co will be in the background and some fresh faces serve as the focal point.

Also, had a big time laugh at that header picture!

Guest

Nice to know they are sticking to cannon and there are no Asians in the Star Wars universe.

Samantha Klein

GOD I love those Sprint commercials.

John G.

God Damn It, Joanna, that picture of Fassbender and Cumberbatch is making me gay again. And I just got rid of all my clubbing clothes.

Wigamer

I can't look at it head on. I've still got things I have to get done today.

Slight disagreement on MBJ vs Landry but maybe that changes after I see Fruitvale Station.

No matter who they cast it is likely to be an improvement over the prequel trilogy that shall not be named. Lucas always had trouble writing dialogue which really put a strain on the performers. Couple the writing problem with a directorial indifference to performance and you get what he got in Eps 1-3. It only worked on A New Hope because it was supposed to be a saturday afternoon serial, and luckily he had help writing and directing Eps 5 & 6. JJ Abrams doesn't typically have any issue putting together a great cast (see Felicity, Alias, Fringe, Lost, and especially Star Trek), and so I am least worried about who they choose for the roles.

BWeaves

The best thing about Star Wars was that everyone was an unknown, so it sucked you into the story. Ford pretty much was not even in the running for the part of Han Solo because he had a bit part in American Graffiti and Lucas didn't want to hire the same actor twice. As much as I would like good actors in this, I'd rather they spend the money on a good script writer and director.

Oh, and less stuff on the screen, please. Less is more. Really.

cox

Not true about Stapleton, He is very chtismatic. you need to see him in "male bonding" like situations. He isnt sheksperian by a long shot, but he has great, comfortable rappor and chemistry with most people. and in a huge ansable like starwars is probably bound to be, that is an asset.

BWeaves

Sheksperian actors are like donkeys and ogres and such, right? Cause that's my new favorite word.

TacoBellRey

That's Shreksperian

BWeaves

Ack! You're right, but I read it Shreksperian.

TacoBellRey

Common mistake, and now I wish that it was a real thing. "Tis a scrupulous boulder!"

Fabius_Maximus

Were you drunk when you wrote that?

onegapingmaw

I've been staring at your so-called 'Hugo Weaving' for five minutes and I still only see Iain Glen. Has my Westeros wistfulness gotten THAT bad?

You can't fool me. This whole post is just an elaborate reason to display the Cumberbatch/Fassbender pic. Though I wouldn't be shocked to see R2-D2 and C-3PO bust out some familiar moves in the reboot. Do they listen to Daft Punk on Tatooine?

lonolove

I just screamed "ENHANCE!" at my computer screen. I need video of that moment immediately. I will purchase Google glass just so I can stream it directly in front of my face at all times for all time.

John W

Sullivan Stapleton is pretty decent on Strike Back.

Fabius_Maximus

He's better than his British counterpart, Washboard-abs Squinty-eyes.

Tinkerville

Saoirse Ronan should be in everything. As much as I love the Cumberbatch and the Fassbender, they've been in so much lately that they would take me out of the movie. I'd much prefer actors with less exposure.

DooMm

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